Means for locking the steering mechanism of motor-vehicles.



. PATBNTED JAN. 13;1903. E. DEVLIN.- MEANS FOR LOCKING THE STEERINGMECHANISM OF MOTOR VEHICLES.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 18 1902.

H0 MODEL.

WITNESSES;

ATTORNEYS.

UNITED STATES "PATENT OFFICE.

EDWARD DE'VLIN, OF PATERSON NEW JERSEY.

MEANS FOR LOCKING THE STEERING MECHANISM OF MOTOR-VEHICLES.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letterslatent N 0. 718,324, dated January13, 1903.

Application filed September 18, 1902. Serial No. 123,864. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern..-

Be it known that I, EDWARD DEVLIN, a citizen of the United States, and aresident of Paterson, in the county of Passaic and State of New Jersey,have invented new and useful Improvements in Means for Locking theSteering-Gear of Motor-Driven Vehicles, of which the following is afull, clear, and exact description.

My invention relates to improvements in means for locking thesteering-gear of motordriven vehicles of any and all kinds, and thisinvention is adapted for use in connection with the steering-gear ofsuch vehicles as antomobiles, locomobile's, and wagons or carriages ofany description used for pleasure or business purposes and which may bepropelled by electrical energy, steam, gas, gasolene, naphtha, or anyother agent or motive power.

The essentially new feature of the invention is a device for locking andholding with positive assurance the steering-gear against turningaccidentally, said locking device being independent of the steering-gearand being also controllable or actuated separately therefrom-Saidlocking device serves to positively hold the vehicle on a givencourse when traveling at a high rate of speed, thus reliew ing thedriver of the necessity of constantly holding the steering-handle,andthereby overcome the fatigue due to the constant jar and vibration. Thedevice is adapted to be set for turning the vehicle in as small a circleas it is possible to turn a machine of its size, and said deviceprevents the machine from suddenly turning or swerving out of its coursewhen a wheel runs over a small obstruction, such as a brick or stone,which in ordinary machines is suflicient to knock the steering-handleout of the grasp of the operator and cause the front axle to turn, sothat the machine is liable to run into a curb or against otherobstructions. In the event of deflation of a pneumatic tire by punctureor by cutting the.

steered with ease and facility by the ordinary devices.

Further objects and advantages of the invention will appear from thesubjoined description, and the novelty of parts will be defined by theannexed claims.

Reference is to be had to the accompanying drawings, forming a part ofthis specification, in which similar characters of reference indicatecorresponding parts in all the figures.

Figure l is a side elevation of a portion of a motor-driven vehiclehaving a common type ofsteering-gear and equipped with a locking deviceof my invention. Fig. 2 is a plan view of the same, showing parts of mylocking mechanism by dotted lines. Fig. 3 is a plan iew, on. an enlargedscale, of my steering-gear-locking mechanism, the steer- 7o ing-spindlebeing shown in horizontal section and the plane of the section beingindicated by the dotted line 3 3 of Fig. 4. Fig. 4 is a verticallongitudinal. section on the line 4 4 of Fig. 3. Fig. 5 is adiagrammatic plan view illustrating another embodiment of the invention;and Fig. 6 is a vertical sectional elevation through a portion of thevehicle and its steering-gear, showing another embodiment of means foroperating the locking mechanism of this invention.

A designates a portion of the body of any suitable kind of motor-drivenvehicle, said body being provided at its front end with a dashboard a.The front end of this body is mounted on an axle B,'adapted to supportthe front wheels 0. I have shown this vehicle equipped with means forchanging the position of the front wheels 0, said means having theshiftable stub-axles D, which are pivoted at cl to the axle B andprovided with crank-arms d,'operatively connected together by a link orrod D, the latter being provided with an arm 01 to which is connectedthe lowerextrem'ityofasteering-spindleE. This spindle is adapted to beshifted byasuitable handle E, which is disposed above the bottom of thevehicle-bodytAand lies within convenient reach of the driver. I do notdesire, however, to limit myself to the employment of. any particularstyle of stub-axles and the means for shifting the same simultaneously,because I am aware that other forms of steering-gear may beemployed-as,,

for example, the steering-spindle may be arranged to turn a pivotedaxle, such as B, in order to simultaneously adjust the front wheels. Iwould therefore have it understood that my invention may be used inconnection with the spindle of any kind of steering-gear employed onmotor-driven vehicles, and my improvements are intimately associated orcombined with this steering-spindle for the purpose of holding thesteering-gear from accidental movement.

One part of my improved locking device is a wheel or disk 5, which ismade fast with the steering-spindle, so as to turn therewith. This wheelor disk is preferably embodied in the form of a gear-wheel, which ismade fast to the vertical spindle E by any suitable means. One meanswhich may be employed for this purpose is a key or gib adapted to fitinto a longitudinal keyway that is formed in the spindle and a similarkeyway formed in the hub of the gear 5. This gear and the partscomprising the locking mechanism of the invention are disposed below thebottom of the vehicle-body A, and certain parts of the locking mechanismare supported or contained on a frame, plate, or casing 6. In thedrawings this frame is shown in the form of a flat plate arranged in ahorizontal position below the bottom a of the vehicle-body, and thisplate is preferably cast in a single piece of suitable metal with theupstanding posts 7, one of which is disposed at each corner of theplate, as shown by Fig. 3. These posts bear solidly against the underside of the vehiclebody A or against a metallic plate which may beplaced against said bottom, and through the plate 6 and the hollow posts7 pass the long bolts 8, which are adapted to securely fasten the plate6 to the bottom in a position parallel therewith. The plate is providedon its upper side with a series of parallel flanges which form guideways9, that are disposed outside of the gear 5 and in positions radiallythereto, and in one form of this invention I contemplate the employmentof four radial guideways which lie equidistant from each other. Theflanges forming the guideways are integral with the plate 6, and eachpair of flanges are beveled reversely on their opposing faces, so as toproduce a guideway which is dovetailed in cross-section. The number ofguideways which I employ is not material, because I may use one, two, ormore of these guideways; but the guideways correspond in number to theseries of lockingdogs 10. A group of these locking-dogs is disposed inthe guideways and around the gear 5, and said dogs are slidably fittedin the guideways, so as to be capable of moving radially with respect tothe gear. Each dog consists of a metallic body which is dovetailed incross-section to fit snugly in the guideway, and these dogs are slidablein the series of guideways, and they lie in the horizontal or transverseplane of the gear, which is fast with the steering-spindle E, the latterpassing through a suitable opening in the bottom A of the vehicle-body.(See Fig. 4.) Each dog 10 of the group or series is provided at itsinner end with a series of teeth, (indicated by dotted lines at 11 inFig. 2,) and the toothed ends of the dogs are adapted to have engagementwith the teeth of the gear 5, whereby the gear may be held againstrotation by a number of dogs, which engage at a number of pointstherewith, thus providing a secure and efficient means for locking thegear and the spindle against rotary movement.

Another feature of my invention resides in means forsimultaneouslyactuating the group or series of locking-dogs, and this means in oneembodiment of the invention resides in a cam slotted actuating plate ordisk 12. This plate or disk occupies a horizontal position directly overthe gear 5 and the group of dogs, and said plate is provided with acentral opening 13, through which loosely passes the spindle E, thusmounting the actuating plate or disk in a manner to turn freely on thespindle and with respect to the group of dogs. This actuating disk orplate is provided with a series of eccentrically-curved slots 14, inwhich are loosely fitted the upstanding studs 15 of the dogs 10, onestud being made integral with each dog, as shown by Fig. 4. The disk orplate 12 is provided on opposite sides with the short outwardlyextendingarm 16, to which are fastened suitable springs 17, having their oppositeends attached to lugs 18, which are preferably integral with two of theposts 7, that are disposed at diagonally opposite corners of the plate6. The springs 17 normally draw or turn the plate 12 to a positionwherein it will force the group of dogs inwardly toward the spindle E,and thereby keep said dogs in locking engagement with the gear 5,whereby the mechanism is effective in looking the spindle against rotarymovement. I do not desire, however, to limit myself to the specific formand arrangement of springs herein described, because I am aware that asingle spring may be used and that a spring of another type may beoperatively combined with the disk in order to manipulate the same inone direction.

19 designates the retracting-lever, having arms 19 and 19, extending inopposite directions from the middle portion of said lever. This lever isarranged in a horizontal position directly above the actuating plate ordisk 12, and said lever is provided with a large central opening adaptedto loosely receive the steering-spindle E, whereby the lever is looselymounted on the spindle, which serves as an axis of motion of the lever.The

actuating-disk.

operatively connected with the disk or plate on opposite sides of theaxes of motion of the parts, and said lever shifts or turns the disk12uniformly and regularly, so as to overcome lost motion.

With thefretracting-lever 19 is connected a foot or pressure piece 21,that is disposed above the bottom of the vehicle-body in a po sitionconvenient to the foot of the driver. (See Figs. land 2.) Thisfoot-piece is mounted on the upper end of a vertical stem 22, whichpasses through the vehicle-body, and the lower end of this stem ispivoted at 23'to the horizontal arm ofv a bell-crank lever 24,

the latter being fulcrumed' to a suitable hanger 25, attached to theunder side of the vehicle-body. The upright arm of this bellcrank leveris loosely-connected at 26 to one of a pair of horizontal operating-rods27, the forward end of'each rod being pivoted at 27 to one arm 19 of theretractingdever. (See Fig. 3.) The rear ends of the operating-rods 27are pivoted to an equalizer-lever 28, which is fulcrumed on anotherhanger 29, secured to the under side of the vehicle-body, as shown inFig. 1. I

From the foregoing description,taken in connection with the drawings, itwill be seen that the springs 17- hold the cam-slotted disk in positionto force the group of locking-dogs into engagement with the gear 5, andthereby prevent the steering-spindle from turning, thus locking thesteering-gear against accidental movement and .causing the machine totravel in a given course. .It is not necessary for the driver toconstantly hold the handle E, because the locking device will preventaccidental change of course of the vehicle should one of the Wheelsstrike a stone or other obstruction or if the tire become punctured ordeflated. To release the locking devices and enable the operator to turnthe spindle by shifting the position of the handle, it is only necessaryfor the driver to press downwardly on the foot-piece 21. This operationdepresses the stem 22, turns the lever 24, and-pulls backwardly on therod 27, said rod turning the lever 19 and the disk or plate 12 againstthe tension of the springs 17, whereby the cam-slotted portion of saiddisk .or plate will ride against the "studs 15 and move the dogs 10simultaneously in the guideways, said dogs being thus freed frominterlocking engagement with the wheel orgear 5. When the pressure isremoved from the foot-piece, the springs 17 become active in returningthe parts to their former positions and the group of dogs aresimultavers are connected in a similar way to the dogs 10" 10 of thegroup. A rod 32 is connected with the levers 3O 31 at the point where ofthe lever 33 in one direction serves to. ac-

tuate the levers 35 36 simultaneously and impel the dogs 10 1O inwardlytoward the gear 5 and simultaneously with the movement of the levers 3536 and the dogs 10 10 The levers 30 31 are actuated by the rod 32 so asto impel the dogs 10 and 10 inwardly into engagement with the gear,whereby the entire group of dogs may be withdrawn from interlockingengagement with the gear. It is evident that a spring or springs may becombined with one or more of the levers comprising the group to normallyhold thedogs into engagement with the gear.

In lieu of the foot-piece and the train of connection with the rod 27 Imay employ hand actuating means mounted on the steeringhandle E. Thismeans for withdrawing the locking-dogs contemplates the employment of ahand-lever 37, which is pivotally mounted on the steering-handle, and tothis lever is connected the upper part of acable, cord, or chain 38,which passes through suitable guides 39, attached to said handle, asshown by Fig. 6. This flexible connection passes under a guide-sheave 40and over a guidesheave 41, attached to and extending above the bottom ofthe vehicle body, and from the sheave 41 the flexible connection passesthrough a suitable opening 42 in the hottom a, so as to extend beneath aguidesheave 43, which is suspended from the under side of the bottom aof the' body, the free end of said flexible connection being attached inany suitable way tothe rod or bar 27. It

is evident that the lever 37 maybe pressed to strain or draw on theflexible connection 38, which is adapted to pull the rod or bar 27 inone direction, and this rod or bar actuates suitable mechanism tosimultaneously withdraw the series ofdogs from looking engagement withthe spindle. I may also employ the lever 37 and its connections with thebar and the foot-piece 21, having operative connection with the bar 27,thus providing man ual and pedal means for operating the retractingdevices. One of these parts is adapted for use in case the other partgets out of order.

The use of a gib between the spindle E and the locking-gear allows alimited vertical play of the spindle relatively to the gear, because thegib will travel in the key-seat of the spindle.

Having thus described my invention, I claim as new and desire to secureby Letters Patent 1. In a steering-gear for motor-vehicles, thecombination of a locking member, a steeringspindle slidable through thelocking member and connected therewith for both parts to turn togetherat all times, a movable locking member arranged for engagement with saidturnable locking member, and means for controlling said movable lockingmember.

2. In a steering-gear for motor-vehicles, the combination with asteering-spindle, ofa locking-disk on said spindle to turn therewith, astationary support, a locking-dog slidably fitted on the support to haveinterlocking engagement with said disk, and means for controlling thedog.

3. In a steering-gear for motor-vehicles, the combination with asteering-spindle, ofa locking-disk on said spindle to turn therewith, astationary support, a group of locking-dogs on said support and arrangedto engage with said disk, and means for simultaneously withdrawing thedogs of the group from engagement with said disk.

4. In a steering-gear for motor-vehicles, the combination with avehicle-floor, and a steering-spindle,of a stationary support suspendedbelow the floor, a locking member on said spindle to turn therewith, agroup of dogs mounted on the support and normally engaging with thelocking member, and means for simultaneously withdrawing all the dogs ofthe group from the locking member.

5. In a motor-driven vehicle, the combination with a steering-spindle,of a toothed locking member on said spindle to turn therewith, astationary support, a group of toothed dogs carried by said support andnormally having interlocking engagement with said member, aspring-controlled member connected with said dogs for simultaneouslywithdrawing them from engagement with the locking member, and means foractuating said springcontrolled member.

6. In a moto r-driven vehicle, the combination with a steering-spindle,of a locking member mounted on said spindle to turn therewith, astationary support, a group of radially-movable locking-dogs slidablyfitted on the support and normally held in engagement with said lockingmember, and means for simultaneously withdrawing all the dogs in thegroup from engagement with said member.

7. In a motor-driven vehicle, the combination with a steering-gear, of aframe or plate having radial guideways, a locking element fast with amember of the steering-gear, a group of slidable toothed dogs confinedin said guideways, means for impelling said dogs into engagement withthe locking element, and means for simultaneously withdrawing the dogsfrom said locking element.

8. In a motor-driven vehicle, the combination with a steering-gear, of alocking element fast with the member of said gear, a group oflocking-dogs normally engaging with said locking element, a cam-slottedreleasing device engaging with all of said dogs of the group, and meansfor turning said cam-slotted releasing device to simultaneously withdrawthe dogs.

9. In a motor-driven vehicle, the combination with a steering-spindle,of a locking-gear fast therewith, a group of dogs normally engaging withsaid locking-gear, a cam-slotted plate connected with said dogs, a leverlinked to said plate, a spring arranged to normally hold the plate inone position, and means for actuating said lever.

10. In a motor-driven vehicle, the combination with a steering-spindle,of a locking element, a group of dogs, a cam-slotted plate connectedwith said dogs, a lever linked to said plate, a foot-piece, andoperative connection between said foot-piece and said lever.

11. In a motor-driven vehicle, the com bination with asteering-spindle,of alocking member, locking-dogs normally engaging with said member tohold the spindle against turning, a spring-controlled retracting deviceconnected with said dogs, a rod or bar engaging with said retractingdevice, and an operating device connected with said rod or bar.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in thepresence of two subscribing witnesses.

EDWARD DEVLIN.

WVitnesses:

JAMES W. RAFFERTY, WILLIAM RAFFERTY.

